Beatrice Likes the Dark
What’s inside...
Beatrice likes the dark, wearing black clothes, enjoying graveyard picnics, and stargazing. Her sister, Roo, prefers the light, dressing in bright colors, picking strawberries, and basking in sunny days. Despite their stark differences and lack of understanding for each other, they each try to share their own likes with one another. With the help of beautiful illustrations by Khoa Le, April Tucholke tells a heartwarming, slightly spooky story of two sisters learning to appreciate their individuality and realize that their love for each other transcends their differences.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Beatrice likes about the dark?
How do you feel about the dark and why?
What are some ways Beatrice shows bravery?
Can you think of a time when you were brave like Beatrice?
How do you think the story would change if it was set in the daytime?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own feelings about the dark and any experiences from your childhood, to make the conversation more relatable.
Encourage your child to draw a picture of their favorite scene, which can help them express thoughts they might not be able to articulate.
Ask open-ended questions that require more than a yes or no answer to stimulate deeper thinking and conversation.
Validate your child's feelings about darkness, whether they are of fear or fascination, to make them feel heard and understood.
Connect the story’s themes to real-life situations your child might encounter to teach coping strategies and build confidence.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Individuality
Explanation: Beatrice, unlike her family, enjoys the dark and finds comfort in it, demonstrating that it's okay to be different.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and respect their own unique preferences and those of others, fostering a sense of self-acceptance and respect for diversity.
Example Lesson: Courage to Explore
Explanation: The protagonist’s adventures during the nighttime show her bravery in exploring the unknown.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to be curious and brave about exploring new things, whether it’s trying out a new sport, hobby, or making new friends.
Example Lesson: Importance of Family Support
Explanation: Despite their initial fears, Beatrice’s family tries to understand and support her love for the dark, highlighting the value of family acceptance.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the significance of supporting family members in their interests, even if they are different from their own.
Example Lesson: Understanding and Overcoming Fears
Explanation: Beatrice teaches her family that the dark can be beautiful and not something to fear, which changes their perspective.
Real-World Application: Children learn that fears can be managed and overcome by understanding them and looking at them from different perspectives.